Adventure Travel Blog | Austin Lehman Adventures

If you read my previous post, Tagging Along to “Tag, You’re It,” you’ve come to learn that I have somehow picked up the responsibility of planning a big trip to Australia for my dad and I. This is coming from someone who’s followed her dad around the world, never holding such accountability for the planning, the details, and the headaches that go into creating the perfect trip.  At first, such a trip seems so far away and such a huge task that you don’t know where or how to dive in. After letting my dad plan the details for countless trips in my childhood and later on, early adult years, I quickly learned just how much planning takes place and how many emails and phone calls go back and forth to get everything just right. With the help of my friends who work for Tourism Australia and Tourism Tasmania, we dove into creating the perfect itinerary in which we could attend the Australian Tourism Exchange (ATE) conference and also familiarize ourselves with what the Tourism Boards had in mind for a well-rounded Australian experience.

When it comes down to it, this was an easy trip to plan. If anything, I sat back and let the Tourism Boards do their thing and chimed in my two cents along the way. I came to realize the relief of letting someone else do the heavy planning of the itinerary, since life gets busier and busier up until day of departure! (This is the same goal that we have in serving our guests at Austin-Lehman, a model I am quite used to!) Samantha from Tourism Australia helped me set up flights, first with Delta from Billings to Los Angeles, and then with Qantas from LAX to Sydney, and also worked with me one on one in planning a hitch-free adventure and business combo trip. Over the course of four months, I conversed with people I hadn’t yet met face to face via email and phone conversations. I saved every email that had anything to do with Australia in a folder designated to our trip, and I built a file of anything I could possibly need (and more) concerning, itineraries, business meetings and maps. I applied for visas online, arranged (and rearranged) flights to Sydney and from Melbourne, and studied the key attractions of areas we were to visit (especially the cities). Anything that had to do with our Australia trip was in my hands and my hands only, and it was actually FUN seeing it all come together first hand!

A week before our scheduled flight, I received our final trip details from Tourism Australia for our time to be spent in the states of New South Wales, Tasmania, and Victoria. By the time we reached our day of departure, my dad was asking me the who, what, when, and where of our itinerary, something that was always my job to ask of him before planning this trip! Talk about role reversal! Upon boarding the plane with our tightly packed carry-on suitcases and my trip file full to the brim of itineraries, emails, and meeting plans, I felt an immense feeling of satisfaction and relief that we’d finally made it to this point of no return. We were off to Australia to experience whatever adventures were to come!

My next post will fill you in on the details of our Australian Adventure!

Until next time,

Kasey

Growing up in the adventure travel business has its perks. My father, Dan Austin, director of Austin-Lehman Adventures bought into Backcountry Bicycle Tours after taking a biking adventure in the Tetons himself, when I was six years old. From there, I led a life in Montana that was a bit different from that of my peers, although the realization of that fact didn’t hit me until I grew older. At seven, I tagged along on our company’s Yellowstone Family Tours, meeting other children and families lucky enough to immerse themselves in the world of luxury travel, learning of lives and cultures much different than my own in my beautiful backyard. By ten, I tagged along with my dad and brother southwards to the friendly lands of Costa Rica, a Mecca for families with its smiling Ticos and its “wow-inducing” wildlife. From there, I traveled along openly and willing with my dad, my partner in travel, my adventure planner, to destinations far and wide: Peru, Alaska, Germany, Ecuador, Holland, Galapagos Islands, and all over the western United States. We traveled for business, we traveled to see what lie beyond the mountains of Montana, we traveled to learn about cultures different than our own, but most of all, we traveled for the love of adventure.

All these trips share at least one thing in common, and that is my dad’s willingness to plan these adventures and his excitement in sharing the world with my brother and me. What better way to learn about people, places, relationships, connections, and cultures! This just isn’t something that can be experienced in a classroom (and this is coming from someone with a degree in Education!) As it gets easier in our schools to bring the globe to a classroom with modern technology, you just can’t replace an authentic, hands-on cultural experience somewhere outside your comfort zone. My brother and I are some of the few Montanans I’ve found who have had the fortune of learning on the road…and we’re lucky enough to keep up with this lifestyle today.

After graduating from the University of Montana in 2011, I immediately accepted an offer to work full time for the family business, despite obtaining a degree that didn’t exactly fit into the world of tourism (a backup plan is always a good thing right?) In my position in Operations I not only have the pleasure of working one on one with ALA’s top notch guide team, but I also work closely with our partners across the globe, creating and maintaining contracts and serving as the “point person” for inquiries, problems, help, and advice when it comes to creating the perfect adventure for our guests. Throughout my few years of working for ALA, I’ve still had the fortune of continuing my travels, more so now than ever – scouting new destinations, attending conferences, leading guide trainings outside of the United States, and even leading a trip or two overseas, sometimes with, sometimes without my dad.

Recently we received a visit to our Montana office from a representative of Tourism Tasmania, Karen Stotz. (If you’re not sure of where Tasmania is (like I didn’t when I first met Karen) take a peek at a map of Australia, and then look south…) While sharing with us a presentation of the beautiful state of Tasmania, Karen mentioned a conference that takes place in Australia annually, the Australian Tourism Exchange, and informed us that a familiarization trip of the area could take place before or after the conference. Before I could get two words in edge wise, my dad shot in, claiming that we would be there and all correspondence for details of the trip would come through me, the trip planner. Me? Me?! The daughter who follows her dad on his travels worldwide, letting him do all of the planning?! Alright, this could be interesting. Challenge accepted!

Stay tuned for my next post to find out about planning and executing our Australia trip!

Kasey

by Marian Myers of WIlderness Safaris

Botswana has a well-deserved reputation as one of Africa’s best wildlife countries. The jewel that is the Okavango Delta offsets the unique dry central region of the Kalahari and the Makgadikgadi pans.  Its clear blue waters sparkle in the light of the warm African sun, its main watercourses and rivulets trickle and flow and spread out in the shape of a hand resting in the northern-most part of the country.  There is nothing quite like it in the rest of the world.  It is home to some of Africa’s best wildlife, birds, fish and flora too.

Austin-Lehman Adventures has teamed up with Wilderness Safaris, who has some of the most spectacular, wild and remote areas that the Okavango Delta has to offer which means guests have a diverse choice when compiling their safari itinerary.  Typically, one should mix up the areas by complementing a water experience with a land experience.  There are also various levels of comfort and adventure that can be considered.  The premier camps offer more in terms of luxury; whereas the classic camps offer a comfortable well-designed home-from-home atmosphere, the Explorations bring you closer to the wild with “comfortable camping”. 

The combination to look for when planning a safari, therefore, is: the area first, the level of comfort second and the time of the year third. July-October is southern Africa’s winter, which is dry, and game viewing is excellent.  The months on either side of winter are also very productive though and not as cold.  To witness the season of birth and renewal, December through March is the best time to travel – everything is green, spectacular and babies are being born.  

Botswana has so much to offer.  Let ALA and Wilderness Safaris help you build a safari that will be a life-changing journey.

Howdy Folks,

The season for adventure is fast approaching and I am excited to stretch my legs on the trail while exploring one of Austin-Lehman’s amazing trip locations with everyone!  I know some of you are curious about what the Austin-Lehman guides do during the off season, so here is an example of the craziness that often occurs when we are set free to explore the world.  Although most of my time was spent skiing powder in the great state of Montana this winter, by far the most memorable event of the off season was a personal trip down the Colorado River of the Grand Canyon. 

            The Colorado River in Grand Canyon National Park has been written about, talked about, litigated over and has provided inspiration to river runners for well over 100 years. This journey has been called by many the most incredible journey one can make on this planet. A river trip through Grand Canyon offers us a chance to get outdoors and stay outdoors, day after day, week after week, where we have the potential to see the magic of the world we live in, where we can be reminded about how insignificant we are in the scope of things.

It was a snowy evening in early December at the ski resort I was working at when I opened an email that would present me with an opportunity for one of the most ambitious expeditions I had ever taken on.  In order to experience the select whitewater the Colorado River has to offer, paddlers and adventurers must enter a lottery system.  The odds are not in anyone’s favor. There are only 270 noncommercial river permits available a year with nearly 5,000 applicants trying to jockey for a spot.  Some people have waited an agonizing 20 years to get drawn!

            As my body began to shake with excitement, I read on to the point where it said my launch date was set for January 9^th.  Now I just needed to find a group of people hearty enough to take on such an endeavor in the dead of winter.

            A party of ruffians came together soon enough; Bryan, my Austin-Lehman comrade, along with five others.  Soon enough, we were migrating from different corners of the country to Flagstaff.  None of us had run the Grand Canyon before.  It was almost a fairy tale in our minds, we had all heard stories of big water and unmatched vistas.  We were headed to the ‘big ditch’ where there was no escape from the wrath of the river  for 226 miles once we were enclosed by the canyon walls.

            This was the first expedition of my life where I really had no idea what to expect. I found this feeling of the unknown absolutely exhilarating.  The aura around our camp on the eve of our trip echoed this feeling. 

            Launching from Lees Fairy was dreamlike.  Yahoo!  We were finally doing it!  It would take three days before we reached the Grand Canyon proper at which point there is literally no way out besides following the river with walls that reach more than a mile high from the canyon floor. 

            The grandeur of this place is absolute.  Nowhere else on earth have I been in complete awe of an environment.  No matter how hard I tried to comprehend this massive world of rock and water, all I could manage to do was look starry eyed with my mouth agape at this place.

            It didn’t take long for our party to be humbled by the extreme environment the Grand Canyon presented, especially in the coldest month of the year.  Our trip was not a relaxing float down the river.  It was a test of endurance.  Each day the temperature grew colder, and we had to work hard just to keep our bodies warm and our gear from freezing solid.  The party began to work with military efficiency, enduring the cold, day after day.  Slowly it worked into our bones, sapping every ounce of energy.  We became machines, forcing our bodies out of our warm sleeping bags in the morning, packing up a small city and hitting the river.  Cold, combined with water and wind, makes for epic conditions.  I came to this realization at one point after navigating a rapid and finding my raft coated in a thin sheet of ice. This was serious, like deadliest-catch-style serious. 

One of the best skills I have gained as a guide is learning to become comfortable being uncomfortable.  I embraced the cold, the lack of sun, and endless hours of darkness.  It was awesome to see our group take on every challenge with a smile, we were operating in extreme whitewater, extreme weather, and extreme backcountry conditions.  In the moment it doesn’t seem like that big of a deal, but reflecting back at the experience, it was intense.  One savior we had on the trip was our wood burning stove.

            While we rigged for our expedition I was impressed by the amount of gear we would be hauling down river.  I was uneasy already about navigating some of the biggest rapids in North America, and when I learned my boat would weigh nearly  2,000 lbs when loaded, I was surprised to say the least.  The stove was one of the heaviest items in our boat, and I was reluctant to bring it.  This item turned out to be the most precious of all the gear we brought down river.  At camp, it was the first thing out of the boat.  We needed the heat to thaw our frozen sleeping pads and dry our gear.  Plus, in January the sun goes down very early, and we spent a lot of time in complete darkness.  If it weren’t for the stove, the expedition would have been a miserable. 

            Ten days of enduring temperatures averaging 25 degrees with some day’s highs barely reaching the single digits began to wear us down.  We found out later that our group pushed through the Grand Canyon in record low temperatures.  The party managed to stay positive and mother nature finally decided to give us a break.  The golden sun began to warm our souls.  Shorts, sandals, and sunscreen became plentiful around camp.  With horseshoes and cold beers, we were finally living like kings in a desert oasis. 

            Our trip began to wind down after successfully running lava falls, the biggest and baddest rapid on the river.  This rapid was intimidating.  A thunderous roar could be heared from a mile away and as you approached it, the horizon line just dropped like you were about to go over a waterfall.  We celebrated on appropriately named tequilla beach after cleanly running the rapid.  High fives and smiles were passed around, and the party was in high spirits. 

            Before long, each stroke brought us closer to the end of the journey.  We would soon be leaving this alternate world.  There is nothing like removing yourself from the constant grind of our society for an extended period of time.  It enables you to put life in persepctive.  Most of all, I found myself bummed that I was leaving this place of wonder.  Yeah it was rugged and raw, but I realized that I loved everything about it and had no cravings for the outside world.  Life wasn’t so bad out here.  It was a hard life, but it was a simple life and, most of all, a satisfying life.

            I hope this story gives you a perspective of the life some guides choose.  The lifestyle is unique and defineatly not for everyone.  I am grateful everyday for getting to live the life I do and wouldn’t choose any other way.  If anything, I hope this story gets everyone excited for their upcoming adventures this coming season!  Austin-Lehman has its best team yet preparing for the guide season, and we are all ready to share the next adventure with you.

Happy Trails,

Cowboy Corey 

Austin-Lehman Adventures is excited to present our special Inca Trail “Glamping” (glamorous camping) departure Sept 7-16, a sneak preview for our 2014 trip.  Enjoy upgraded spacious camp accommodations, chef prepared food, wine, cocktails and even a portable hot shower -hey, this is glamping after all!!  We are going all out for this high end, trekking experience on the classic Inca Trail and want our guests to be prepared.  For all Inca Trail Treks (glamping or otherwise), we recommend special attention should be paid to pre-trip fitness, altitude adjustment and essential trek gear. 

Fitness:

First off, you do not need to be a tri-athlete to trek the Inca Trail.  But, yes, you need to be fit enough to enjoy four days of moderate to strenuous walking above 10,000 ft.  Let’s be honest, the better aerobic shape you are in to begin with, the better your body is able to process more oxygen as you trek at high altitude, which will keep you from feeling exhausted.  Our trek guides make sure to set a nice comfortable group pace that keeps us moving, but that also emphasizes the enjoyment of the experience.  Along the trek we make sure there is plenty of time for photography, exploring and learning about the increasingly impressive ruins that lead to the “best preserved” Inca site in South America, Machu Picchu.  So we suggest you get out and do some walking, biking, swimming, or whatever you enjoy to get your heart rate up for at least an hour a day, three times a week.  If you already exercise, great! If you need the Inca Trail Trek as your motivation, here it is! 

Altitude Adjustment:

Most travelers have never been above 10,000 ft., so we all feel the effects of being at an high altitude upon arrival (mild headache, loss of appetite) and are encouraged to limit exertion and maintain well hydrated.  While Lima is at sea level, and there won’t be a problem acclimatizing to its altitude, Cuzco is over 11,000 ft. above sea level.  Travelers to the Cuzco and other Andean regions over 10,000 ft. need to take common sense measures in regards to altitude acclimatization.  Most travelers feel better after 8-12 hrs at altitude, but everybody acclimatize differently, so taking the time to adjust the altitude upon your arrival to Cusco is the first and most essential step.  At altitude (above 10,000 ft.), we recommend hydrating primarily with electrolyte beverages (Gatorade, Powerade, etc…you may purchase bottles in local shops, but we recommend bringing powdered packets from home).  Local remedies like Coca tea in moderation is often noted as an aid in the acclimatization process and is widely available, often at hotels and in cafes.  Individuals with heart or other health problems should consult their physician before deciding to travel to Cuzco and engage in a high altitude trek.  Ask your doctor about high altitude medicine like Diamox, if you’re concerned.  Don't worry if you feel winded and a bit tired upon arrival to Cusco, most every traveler does, so go slow and let your body get used to its new environment.   

You will start the Inca trail trek in the Sacred Valley at Km 82, just beyond Ollantaytambo, which drops in altitude of over 1,000 ft (as compared to Cusco), and slowly climb back to elevations above 10,000 ft over the duration of the trek before dropping down to Machu Picchu (8,000 ft approximately).  The vast majority of travelers do not require the use of prescription altitude drugs on the Inca Trail, having allowed their bodies to acclimatize naturally via the slow ascent. The highest altitude you will reach on the trail will be a pass at (13,780 ft / 4200 m) and you will sleep at approximately (11,811 ft / 3600 m) for one or two nights. 

Gear for the Trek

Aside from your camera, etc., the essentials for the trek should be lightweight, waterproof outerwear and clothing that can be easily layered for chilly mornings/evenings, and taken off when it warms up.  Broken in, waterproof footwear will be your main contact point with the trail. Make sure they are comfortable; blisters on your trek are a distraction you can avoid by breaking in your shoes before you go.  Trekking poles are a great trek aid for ascending trails, but I find them more important when descending (seriously, your knees will thank you after a couple of steep descents).   Finally, find yourself a comfortable, small daypack to carry with your daily essentials (snacks, water, wet weather gear) – do a quick pre-trip gear estimate to make sure your day pack is neither too big or too small for what you intend to carry.  Also invest in a waterproof cover for your day pack, they take up almost no space and add extra protection to your gear in the event of rain.

Our Inca Trail Glamping trip will be a one-of-a-kind luxury trek adventure – so come prepared, in order to enjoy all that this amazing world class trek to Machu Picchu has to offer.

There’s only one word to describe Argentina…

Tranquillo.

It translates to calm, peaceful and, well, tranquil.

And during my trip to Argentina last year, I fell in love with Argentina and immersed myself in a tranquillo state of mind.

As the eighth largest country in the world, Argentina has something for everyone.  From lively Buenos Aires to the wildlife haven of Patagonia and Mendoza’s wine regions, this South American country is truly tranquillo.

And if that isn’t enough, here are six reasons why you’ll love Argentina…

1. The City of Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires is the capital city of Argentina and is located on the Atlantic coast, and it’s no wonder, the city’s’ name translates to “Good Air.”

Buenos Aires is broken into neighborhoods (barrios) that each have their own personality and special characteristics.

• Palermo has a young vibe with botanical gardens, a zoo and hip restaurants.
• Recoleta is an upscale area with countless plazas, parks, and the historic cemetery where Eva María Duarte de Perón (aka Evita), Argentina’s First Lady from 1946 to 1952 – rests today. 
• Monserrat has famous Plaza de Mayo and excellent shopping in the galerias.
• Puerto Madero is the old port district that rapidly changed into a trendy business center with limitless hotels and restaurants.  This area is great for walking.
• La Boca is a vibrant area that sits at the mouth of the Matanza River.  It’s famous for its colorful buildings and tango dancers.

Navigating to each of the barrios is easy and inexpensive using the city’s subway (subte) and bus system.

Plaza de Mayo

2. World-class Cuisine

Argentina’s cuisine is strongly influenced by Italian and Spanish cultures. Common dishes include cheeses, olives, and cured meats. 

But Argentina is best known for their high-quality beef that includes:

• Tenderloin (bife de lomo)
• Skirt steak (entraña)
• Short ribs (asado de tira)
• Flank steak (vacío)
• Sirloin/NY strip (bife de chorizo)

Most beef is served with potatoes and chimichuri – a sauce made with parsley, oregano, garlic, olive oil, and vinegar.

For snack lovers, pizza and empanadas – a meat stuffed pastry – are also very popular. 

For desert, you’ll have an array of options with bakeries nearly on every corner.  The most famous sweets usually contain dulce de leche, which tastes and looks similar to caramel. 

Don’t expect a big breakfast.  Argentines prefer a light breakfast usually consisting of cappuccino or espresso and small croissants (media lunas) followed by a heavy lunch with steak and potatoes or pizza.

Pizza in Argentina

3. Premium Wine Tasting

Argentina’s the fifth largest wine producing region in the world but they’ve starting to make the shift from quantity to quality, producing more premium wines.  Their most notable wines are Malbec and Torrontes.

• Malbec is a dark, red wine that has hints of cherry and plum.  It’s no surprise it pairs perfectly with beef.
• Torrontes is a white wine that’s known as “the liar” because it has a sweet Muscat smell with a dry taste.

Most of Argentina’s wine regions hug the Andes mountain range as it’s an ideal climate and terrain for vineyards. 

Mendoza is located at the base of the Andes (about an 11 hour bus ride west from Buenos Aires) and is a great city for wine tasting. 

Wine Store in Mendoza

4. Charismatic People

Most Argentines are descendants of European immigrants – mostly Spanish and Italian - who settled in Argentina during the 18th and 19th centuries. 

Argentines are friendly, curious, and engaging.  Not to mention beautiful! 

Argentines have a strong sense of community so it’s common to see people chatting on the street corner or in cafes.

Wine Tour Guide

5. Tierra del Fuego in Patagonia

Tierra del Fuego translates to “Land of Fire" and is an archipelago on the southernmost part of the South America.  The main island Isla Grande de Tierra del Fuego is shared between Argentina in the east and Chile in the west. 

Tierra del Fuego National Park is located 6.8 miles (11 km) west of Ushuaia and has stunning scenery with waterfalls, forests, lakes, mountains and glaciers and impressive wildlife viewing including several species of birds, the guanaco, red fox, North American Beaver, and muskrat. 

6. A Country Frozen in Time

Argentina is anything but mass market.  It’s an endless procession of small shops, bakeries, butchers, produce stands, and restaurants – all different from the ones before.  You’ll feel like you’ve stepped back in time to when things moved slower and people lived simply.  

From old cars putting down the road, to shoe shiners working for Argentine pesos and colonial architecture displayed around the plazas, Argentina is a refreshing cultural shift from the everyday hustle and bustle commonly found in the United States or Europe.

Old Car in Argentina

Have you been to Argentina? Share what you loved about it in the comments below!

About the author: Darcie Connell is the founder of Trekity – a website that provides daily travel tips for women – and TravelBloggerAcademy.com.  In 2012, Darcie fell in love with Argentina after spending 10 weeks exploring Argentina’s wine region of Mendoza and the lively capital city of Buenos Aires.  Follow her on Google +1 and Twitter.

5.  Tasty treats

Whether your vice is hot stroopwafel (a crispy carmel filled flat cookie pressed to perfection) made fresh in front of you.  Or if it's a piece of delectable Belgian chocolate.  Here you are never more than a few minutes away from a tasty treat.  For me it's Belgian fries smothered with a green pepper sauce (And no, it's not the mayonnaise they put on their fries in Pulp Fiction, it's frite sauce which is so much better).  It's also a frosty Trappist bier, brewed to perfection at an abby by monks, these are in my opinion the best beers in the world.  These beers pack a punch, many are stronger than a glass of wine.  I haven't even mentioned the Belgian waffles, the Dutch pannenkoeken, the cheeses or the bitter-balls (creamy deep-fried meatballs), and the ice cream...Yum!  So many snacks to choose from, so little time!

4.  The Spring

Everything comes to life during the springtime in the Low Countries.  As the temperature starts to warm up, so do the people.  Excitement is in the air, the winter is over and new life begins.  The tulips, daffodils, and rhododendrons explode into action as if setting off a cue to the people to do the same.  The spring brings about the beginning of the festival season with a couple of my favorite holidays in the Netherlands.  Queen's day, or as it is soon to be known as King's day with the changing from Queen Beatrix to her son King Willem Alexander, is one of the biggest celebrations in the Netherlands.   The entire country dresses in the patriotic orange while partying the day away.  There's also Hemelvaartsdag, or Ascension day where the whole nation takes to their bicycles early in the morning and cycles around with their friends stopping at cyclist rest stops or pop up parties in the countryside.  Perhaps one of the only holidays in the world celebrated on a bike!

3.  The Cities

If you're not from Holland or Belgium, biking in the cities can take some getting used to.  Rush hour on a bike in the Low countries should be an extreme sport all on its own.  If you factor in all of the bikes, the trams, not to mention all of the car traffic it's quite a rush.  Many decisions are made only giving centimeters for error, but for some reason you don't see very many accidents (perhaps in Amsterdam, but those usually involve a tourist and perhaps their judgement has been slightly impaired...)  You also never know what you'll see when riding around one of these big cities.  From the quirky shops, quaint cafes, world class museums, city parks, to the fantastic people watching, there's always something to look at.

2.  The Landscape

The Dutch consider themselves a nation of artists.  With such masters as Rembrandt, Vermeer, Van Gogh, and Escher its no wonder.  I often have the feeling while cycling through the countryside that I'm cycling through a great painting.  The Dutch are also masters of their landscape.  In fact, the word landscape comes to us from the Dutch 'Landschap'.  It's no wonder we use their word, almost the entire country has been created shaped and landscaped from scratch!  Still today people take a lot of pride in their landscaping.  You can see them hard at work in their wooden shoes planting their fantastic gardens, pruning their trees, and of course cleaning their windows so that they have a clear view of all of their work.

1.  A Cyclers Paradise

With bike paths that could stretch around the world there is never a shortage of options here while on your bike.  Cycle through sand dunes, farms and pastures, forests, parks, next to canals and windmills, along the Rhine river or the North sea or past famous battlefields.  There are ferries dedicated to transporting only cyclists.  There's a bike lane on almost every road and many more cycling only paths.  There are more bikes than people.  The Netherlands is also considering having heated bike paths to keep them clear of snow and ice in the winter!  All of these paths are well marked and tied together by the fietspad (bike-path) network.  I have lived in Holland for almost two years and I cycle nearly everyday.  There are still paths and routes nearby that I haven't yet explored.   I'm hoping that one day this cycler's mentality will spread across the pond to the USA.  I can always dream right?

Exiting out of Schiphol International Airport in Amsterdam early Wednesday morning, I was met by the blowing wind and light snow of a not-so-spring-like day in the blustery Netherlands. At the end of March, the weather seems just not able to make up its mind, just as its doing back home in Montana right about now. I search the rows of taxis and busses for my friend and Austin-Lehman’s European Operations Manager, Ron van Dijk. All of a sudden, a familiar voice calls out from across the way. Sure enough, Ron is here, right on time, and we’re ready to drive the 1.5 hours southeast to Nijmegen, his home town.

We had previously decided that it would be a great idea to bring an American over to Europe to attend the annual European spring guide training held at Ron’s office in the middle of town. Our director had popped in a few years before, but otherwise Ron (who’s been managing operations in Europe for decades) had been handling guide training, quite well I might add, with few influences from any “outside forces” for years and years.

Now, I must tell you, I had my qualms about attending our European training. Our operations are run a bit differently in Europe since we feature mostly biking trips in Europe versus more multisport trips in the US. Plus, what other learning’s would I be able to pass on to our most seasoned guides in the business, like Desiree Jansen and Anneke Peelen who’ve been guiding ALA’s (and previously Eurobike’s) trips for more than 20 years each? Wow! I was quite relieved to know that I had guided one of our Austria Family Tours the previous summer, so I at least had an idea about the “behind-the-scenes” magic of a European trip, and the differences between running an Austrian tour versus a Montana trip. Plus, my experience as both a guide in the field and as a member of the esteemed ALA office staff couldn’t hurt me either, right?

I realized as soon as our European guides started filtering into the room one by one, big hello’s and hugs to be had by all, that I had nothing to fear.  These were my fellow guides, even if not on the same continent, and they had nothing but smiles, encouragement, and inspiration to provide. What a team to be a part of! What friends to have across the ocean in a foreign land! I have nothing but good things to say about each and every one of our European guides – what amazing leaders and human beings in general!

Over the next two days, Ron and I would proceed to educate the tourism industry’s finest guides, covering every little detail of customer service, problem solving, and logistical management. Everything from the well-known ALA “WOW” factor to marketing efforts were covered. We jumped on the Austin-Lehman Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Flickr accounts for an online tour, and stressed the importance of communication among fellow guides, hotel and restaurant staff, and our offices in both Nijmegen and Billings.  Van and bicycle safety, food preparation, “sweet dreams”, paperwork, and photography became the focal points of conversation (among many other important items). Most of all, we shared our stories and advice with other guides, new and seasoned alike, providing all with inspiration for the upcoming 2013 season.

Overall, I took the following away: tour guides work HARD, just as hard as anyone I know, to provide Austin-Lehman’s guests with the perfect vacation. Our slogan, “the toughest part is going home” could not be truer in any sense of the phrase. As I sit here typing this blog on my flight home, I can’t help but be excited and motivated for the upcoming season, AND I’m not even done yet! Our domestic (U.S. and Canada) guide training is coming up in May and I can’t wait to share what I’ve learned with all of those closer to home. Better yet, Ron van Dijk himself will be flying to Billings to take part in our guide training for the first time. I can’t wait to begin the whole process over again, only this time, at home!

Hope you’re as stoked as I am for the upcoming vacation season. I can personally tell you that because of your guides, it’s going to be a good one…

Tot ziens!

Kasey Austin

When you’re exploring a beautiful new location, the last thing you want to think about is your feet. That’s why NOW is the time to check out the many different footwear options available to you, choose the shoes that work best for you, and put a few miles on them before your big trip.

Here are a few things to think about when deciding which shoes to pack for your Austin Lehman Adventure. If you need help, call any of our retail stores and ask to speak with one of our specially trained Foot Gurus who can answer all your questions and guide you to the perfect pair of shoes.



All about insoles

Whether you’re looking to get more comfortable miles out of your current shoes or you want to maximize your new shoe investment, Superfeet premium insoles can make a huge difference in your overall comfort and performance. There are Superfeet for all kinds of situations and the impact can be life changing in terms of improved ankle support, relief from knee pain, and freedom from blisters.



The reason for this is when it comes to footwear, the majority of your investment goes to the quality of the sole and midsole, not the insole which can be flimsy at best. In fact, many footwear manufacturers add little more than sock liners into their shoes because they recognize the importance of custom insoles like Superfeet.

Hiking Boots vs Hiking Shoes

Gone are the days when a hiker’s options were limited to burly leather boots that were either heavy weight or medium weight.  Support is not exclusively defined by a six inch upper that locks your ankle in place. Advances in outsole technology and midsole materials deliver exceptional support with minimal weight in a package that’s as comfortable as your favorite pair of sneakers.


PHOTO: Merrell Women’s Moab – consistently one of our top customer-rated hiking shoes

A good pair of hiking shoes may be all you need for your Austin Lehman Adventure but it really depends on how aggressive your hiking will be, what the terrain is like, how much weight your carrying and what your personal preferences are. If you’re pushing hard on steep terrain, a more traditional pair of hiking boots like the Asolo TPS 520 GVs may be in order.



For the record, these are the only boots I’ve hiked in for the past 12 years. I use them for everything because I like the feel, security and do-anything versatility. I never have to worry about debris getting in my boots which can happen with hiking shoes.

Cycling to Hiking

Looking to go from your bike to the trail without changing shoes? Helen from our Peterborough, NH store recommends the Teva Forge Pro Event Hiking Shoes.



They’re for standard pedals only but they’re the perfect hybrid for adventure on two wheels and two feet.

If you’re not wiling to compromise the power and efficiency of your SPD pedals, but you still want to be able to do some off-bike rambling, the Pearl Izumi X-Alp Seek shoes do it all.



They clip into your SPDs and when it’s time to hit the trail, the carbon rubber lugged outsole grips the trail and cushions your heel.

Water Shoes

There are lots of options available in this category. Sandals with a rubberized toe are by far the most comfortable but when hopping in and out of a raft, bracing yourself in whitewater and exploring dry land, you might want something with a little more protection. In addition to the full coverage of synthetic leather, the Merrell Waterpro Manistees have a perforated foodbed as well a mesh upper for exceptional water drainage.



One final piece of footwear advice before you start packing for your trip–DON’T SKIMP ON SOCKS. You can drop $300 and up on a pair of top-quality hiking boots but if you wear a $5.99 pair of cotton socks you WILL end up blistered and miserable. Plan on bringing two pairs of merino wool socks for every day on the trail and a few extra pairs to be safe. Nothing makes your feet happier than pulling on a clean pair of socks after a big day outdoors. And like I said, great adventures begin with happy feet. Have fun out there!

After talking with hundreds of people about adventure vacations, I believe there are basically two types of travelers: those who prepare weeks or even months in advance and those who throw a few things into a suitcase the day before a trip. Personality probably has a lot to do with which type of traveler you are, but everyone can benefit from a little thoughtful preparation before travel. Not only will you enjoy your adventure vacation more, but you will gain more from the entire experience if you spend a little time getting ready to go. Here are a few suggestions...

Prepare Your Body:

Getting physically prepared doesn't mean you have to run a marathon before you're ready to hike and bike on your Austin Lehman adventure. If you sit at a desk most of the day and you don't work out often, you will want to take it up a notch. Go for a walk four or five days a week, or hop on a bike (regular or stationary) every few days. I spoke with a woman last week who walks every day during her lunch break. She's headed to the Canadian Rockies this summer and I'm confident she will be adequately prepared for hiking those awe inspiring mountains.

Prepare Your Mind:

Make it a point to read about the area you will be visiting. The first time I went to Costa Rica I was not prepared for the differences in culture and environment. I hadn't read much and I was overwhelmed with all of the new sights and sounds. Austin Lehman provides a reading list for each of our adventures. If you are traveling with children, show them pictures of the area you'll be visiting. Photos help them to build a mental picture and it allows them to join in your excitement about the adventure. Looking at a map of the area will help you to orient yourself with your surroundings once you’re on your journey.

Immunizations (if traveling outside the US):

It's very important to check with your physician and the Center for Disease Control website before you travel outside of the U.S.  Some areas of the world have immunizations that are required, and some immunizations are only necessary in certain seasons. You will want to be aware of which immunizations are recommended and make informed decisions about which ones you want to take and which ones are not necessary. This is a decision that your doctor (or the doctor at your local travel clinic) should be able to help you make.

What to Pack:

Whenever someone asks me what type of clothes they should pack, I always say, "layers". It doesn't matter if you are traveling to Alaska or Nicaragua... layers are important. All of those layers should be breathable, non-cotton materials. Equally important would be a good pair of light-weight hiking shoes. I almost ruined my last backpacking trip with my son because I was trying to eke out a few more miles in my old hiking boots before forking up the dough for new ones. If you purchase new shoes before you travel, make sure to give your feet ample time to break them in. If your feet hurt, your whole body hurts. (Keep an eye out for next week’s blog from EMS’s Jim Darroch on how to choose the right footwear.)

A good rain jacket can be your best friend on any vacation. Unfortunately, Austin-Lehman can't control the weather, so it’s important to be prepared for an occasional wet day. Many outdoor clothing companies make a light-weight, packable rain coat that can also step in as a wind breaker, if needed.

Another important item to bring is a camera. No matter what camera you own, make sure you have the protective gear you need to keep it dry and dirt free. There's nothing more disappointing than missing that perfect shot because your camera lens has taken in moisture.  A good case can usually solve this, but even a zip lock bag makes a big difference.  Make sure to be smart about when you take out your camera too; don’t use your brand-new $2000 camera in a rain storm if you don’t have the accessories to keep it water free.

If you're traveling to a third-world country, you might want to consider bringing a few items to give away. Many of the people in other countries do not enjoy the standard of living we experience at home. Your travel experience can be greatly enhanced by bringing little gifts to give to children such as pencils, crayons, or small notepads. Pack for a Purpose is a great non-profit organization which can provide items needed in specific locations around the world, and can help you gain an idea of what to bring to other places.

Obviously, this list is not exhaustive. The more I travel, the more I learn about getting prepared - it can be part of the fun of travel. In case you were wondering, I am the type of traveler who likes to throw things in a suitcase at the last minute. I have to admit, it's not always the best choice but it does add to the adventure.

Having lived in Heidelberg for 16 years through the 1980´s and 90´s, I am often asked which regions to travel to in order to find authentic German culture. While there are many to choose from, the Romantic Road is most certainly one which I will recommend. Running from the Alps and fairy-tale castle at Neuschwanstein to the River Main in central Germany, the Romantic Road is Germany’s best known and most popular tourist route. The name expresses what you’ll feel on seeing the medieval towns and castles as you’re being transported back in time. While the southern part of the route is dominated by dramatic mountain scenery, it is especially the northern stretch which opens up a wealth of history, art and culture. Bustling medieval towns line the route like a string of rare gems. Nördlingen, Dinkelsbühl and Rothenburg with their impressive buildings have preserved their original appearance over the centuries and constitute some of my favorite places in Germany.

Nördlingen lies in the middle of the Ries crater, the best-researched meteorite crater in the world. Traders and craftsmen settled here, and a trade fair for goods from distant lands was established in 1219, which put the town in second place only to Frankfurt. The town built its encircling wall in the 14th century, and its towers and gateways are still preserved today. This golden age in the town’s history also saw the construction of its major buildings, most of them designed as trading halls and warehouses, but also included magnificent patrician houses and the Late Gothic parish church of St. George. Every night, even now, the call of the watchmen can be heard from the tower, who are the last members of their profession anywhere in Germany: “So, G’sell, so!” which means as much as “All’s well, fellows, all’s well”.

Nördlingen rapidly lost its importance in the Wars of Religion in the 16th and 17th centuries, and by the time the Thirty Years’ War ended in 1648 it was not only reduced to poverty but had also lost more than half of its population through death or emigration. Thus there was no need to erect any new buildings for several centuries after that. This also explains why the town has retained much of its medieval architecture. In fact, the same explanation is true for most of the towns in this part of Germany.

Take for instance Dinkelsbühl. It is a town where the past is at one with the present. As you walk through the green belt surrounding the old town, the centuries begin to merge. The best view of Dinkelsbühl is from above. After climbing to the top, the tower of St. George’s Minster offers a panoramic view over the roofs of the old town and the idyllic river valley. The Minster is around 500 years old while the town fortifications are even older. Indeed, many of the houses have survived numerous generations. Even more important, however, is the fact that these buildings are still alive today. In them are families, shops, workshops, cafés and restaurants: sometimes closely packed together in a small lane, sometimes around a square. Up until 1806 this was a Free Imperial Town (practically an independent state with its own rules and laws).

And then there is Rothenburg, one of the oldest towns on the Romantic Road. It overlooks from its rocky crag four bends in the Tauber river. The town is both picturesque and unspoiled. Once behind the ramparts in the car-less central enclave, you are faced with the ancient houses, wrought-iron street signs, fountains and narrow, cobbled lanes, as if a time-warp plunged you back into the middle of the 16th century.

During the Thirty Year War (between the Protestants and the Catholics), the Protestant town of Rothenburg was about to be raised to the ground by the Imperial army commanded by General Tilly. All pleas for mercy had been rejected, when the mayor as a last resort offered the general a goblet of the very best local wine… and a miracle occurred. Tilly’s heart warmed up and he offered a way out. He would spare the town if a local could empty in a single draft a 6-pint mug of the same wine, equaling four bottles of wine. A former mayor named Nusch, who obviously had a great stomach, succeeded and Rothenburg was saved. This is reenacted every year during a big festival…, but I don’t think anyone has been able to follow Nusch in his footsteps (although it is somewhat doubtful he walked after his feat).
North of Rothenburg, the idyllic Tauber Valley opens up a whole other world, which can best be explored on bicycle. The “Klassiker” (Classic) bike trail is a two-day outing along the river, covering 60 miles/100 km from Rothenburg ob der Tauber to Wertheim and the Main River. Known as the “Liebliches Taubertal”, the Lovely Tauber Valley region is absolutely delightful, offering scenic, cultural as well as culinary highlights. The clean, bright streams in the Tauber Valley are famous for their trout, served at inns all along the valley. The Tauber Valley lamb is also top-notch. And, of course, the local wines are the perfect accompaniment: Müller-Thurgau, Silvaner and Schwarzriesling, as well as local favorites such as Dornfelder. Among the four well-known breweries in the region are the Distelhäuser and Spessart, with special country brews.

So what are you waiting for? Los geht’s! (Off you go!)
 

Eastern Mountain Sports is proud to be the official gear outfitter of Austin Lehman Adventures. All of us here at our Peterborough, NH headquarters and in our 68 retail stores throughout the northeast hope you have the time of your life on your upcoming trip and that you return home with stories that never get old.  As your departure date draws near, chances are the only thing that could possibly dampen your excitement is worrying about what kind of gear to bring with you. Your expert guides at ALA will have some detailed recommendations for your specific itinerary, but the easiest way to make sure you’re as comfortable as possible on your epic trip is to follow the same golden rule for any outdoor adventure – dress in layers.


With the right layering system, you'll be comfortable no matter what the day brings.

Every layering system starts at your skin with a moisture-wicking base layer that moves sweat away from you to regulate your body temperature and dries quickly to keep you comfortable. In addition to synthetic options like our Techwick products, many adventures choose merino wool base layers from SmartWool and Icebreaker. If the thought of wearing wool in the summer time sounds crazy, you need to experience the remarkable breathability of merino wool, which has the added benefit of being naturally antimicrobial. On long trips like the one you’re planning where washing machines might not always be available, merino base layers are a nice option, for you AND your traveling companions! Whichever base layer option you choose, just remember: “cotton is rotten” because it retains perspiration and takes a long time to dry.


EMS Techwick


Once you’ve chosen your base layers, it’s time to add an insulating mid layer. Whether you go with a light or midweight fleece or a down jacket/vest or heavyweight fleece depends entirely on what conditions you expect. If I had to choose just one mid layer to bring with me on a multi day adventure, without a doubt, I would choose one of our Polartec Powerstretch products. I literally use my Powerstretch zip up year-round. I hike in it, bike in it, paddle in it and hang out by the campfire in it. Powerstrech keeps me warm by itself on 40 degree days and if I’m running, hiking or skiing on a 20 degree day, it’s still the only midlayer I need. On really cold days or nights where the temperature drops into the twenties, I’ll bring along a heavy weight fleece and I’m pretty much ready for anything.

A Powerstretch top and tights were all I needed to stay warm on a 24 mile ride to work on a 40 degree day last May.

I prefer to call the outer layer the “weather” layer because since I run hot, my shells only come out when it’s windy, rainy, or some other form of nasty to the point where I need some extra protection. Another year-round favorite for me is my Orion Jacket. I like it because it’s lightweight and comfortable enough to wear as a rain jacket in the summer and because it blocks the wind nicely in the winter. That said, if I’m cross country skiing and the forecast calls for light snow, I have no problem wearing a water repellent softshell jacket that gives me better range of motion than a hard shell jacket that’s waterproof.


EMS Orion Jacket

You’ve probably noticed that I’ve recommended a LOT of Eastern Mountain Sports brand products. Please know I’m not just a homer. EMS really is my go-to choice for all my outdoor gear and apparel. That said, you’ll find a lot of your favorite brands at all our stores and online at ems.com, including The North Face, Mountain Hardwear, and Marmot as well as all your favorite footwear and camping brands. On behalf of all of us at Eastern Mountain Sports, enjoy your trip!

 

Did you know that one of our country’s treasures is part of a disappearing act? Scientists are predicting that the last glacier in Glacier National Park will melt by 2030! Only open approximately 100 days a year, the time is ticking to visit this remote haven.

Lucky for us, there is still an opportunity to freeze time in Glacier on the Austin Lehman Montana Family Glacier National Park trip. Hotels will transform into living museums once you step inside. The “parketecture” of the lodges will take you back to a simpler time instantly. Unplug and enjoy the breathtaking beauty of a real vacation from days past.

From the rustic, quaint rooms of the McDonald Lodge after an antique red jammer bus ride up the iconic Going To The Sun Road, to the ultra-cushy Grouse Mountain Lodge, there will be plenty of memories to share around the dinner table long after you adventure is over.

There is just something special that happens when we disconnect – we really RE connect! It doesn’t get any better than relaxing on the shore of Two Medicine Lake, and truly leaving it all behind. The smiles and miles keep coming as we hike, bike and raft this International Peace Park.

Known as the ‘Crown of the Continent”, Glacier National Park is the only place in the lower 48 States to still see the original wildlife and predators that the first European settlers saw. As the weather continues to warm, and glaciers eventually melt, eco systems and wildlife will also be affected. Can’t you just imagine exploring the frontier and getting glimpses of the same beauty as our ancestors before us? The park also boasts one of the highest densities of grizzlies in the world, offering post card worthy pictures and legendary campfire stories if you are lucky enough to see to see one.

We hope you’ll take us up on our open invitation to join us for the adventure of your lifetime in Glacier National Park before its namesake is lost forever!

A day in the life … well let me see.  Let’s start with a bit of history of who I am.  I am a Bison but a lot of people think of me as a Buffalo.  True buffaloes are my relatives but they live in Africa and Asia, the cape buffalo and water buffalo.  Only North American buffaloes are bison and two of the largest herds of bison live in Yellowstone National Park and in Canada’s Wood Buffalo National Park.  Below is a photo of me with my Mom when I was first born in Yellowstone National Park a few years back.  Am I not adorable!!

Figure 1:  Photo courtesy of Peak Photography of Montana

Anyway, back to my day.  We are a social bunch so you will typically find us in herds or groups and spend most of our day grazing.  We are the largest land animal in North America and therefore need a lot of food for energy.  We love to graze on grasses, herbs, shrubs and twigs for an hour or two and then we rest and "chew our cud" which is basically regurgitating what I have already eaten once.  I have 4 stomachs so I make sure that I get every nutrient that I can from my food before it moves along.  We are constantly eating and throughout the day can move 10 – 15 miles depending on how good the grazing area is.  If we are lucky we find a great spot and stay for a few days.

A couple of times a day I visit the local stream or pond for a drink of water, run and play with my friends, take several rests and occasionally take a dust bath which is my natural insect repellant! 

Since I live in Yellowstone National Park, I have a lot of visitors that want to view me and take my photo. I love to pose for photos but always remember that I like my space and to stay at least 25 yards away or more.  I may be big but I am agile and can run more than 30 miles per hour and pivot quickly!!  So please take photos but give me my space and stay a safe distance away.

A lot of people are curious about how our species survive what can sometimes be a brutal winter.  Well our thick, shaggy coat is so well insulated and we can have up to 2 inches of fat that snow can settle on our back without melting!  It can also help to keep us warm similar to how a blanket would.  We use our strong head and hooves in the winter to move the snow off of the vegetation below to eat. Did you know you can tell where we have been by our distinct hoof prints which look like 2 fat banana's facing each other!

Well there Old Faithful blows so better go!  If you would like to see a bison like me in our natural habitat, your best chance would be to visit Yellowstone National Park or Custer State Park in South Dakota!! 

1.    Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the United States. Formed by a volcano that collapsed over 7,000 years ago, Crater Lake is almost 1,950 feet deep at its deepest point!  You’ll see the lake for the first time from the caldera rim.  As you stare into the stunningly blue waters, you’ll understand why this lake is world renowned as a scenic wonder.  

2.    Your kids can become Junior Rangers.  Sign your kids up on day one and help them complete various park-themed activities throughout your vacation.  At the end, they’ll be “sworn in” and become official Junior Rangers!

3.    Hiking, biking, and rafting, oh my!  Oregon’s natural beauty will be that much more enjoyable when you and your family are hiking around Crater Lake National Park, keeping an eye out for interesting flora and fauna, biking the Rogue-Umpqua Scenic Byway, in the shade of verdant old forests, or rafting down the Rogue River, experiencing mellow class I rapids to exciting (but safe) class IV rapids.  

4.    The Food.  Oregon is a foodie’s paradise (and a wine or beer lover’s paradise as well!) Delicious melt-in-your-mouth blue cheese from a local creamery, local game hen roasted with truffles, or fresh-caught pacific grouper. Add a glass of local Pinot Gris, or a pint of IPA from the closest microbrewery, and you’ve found the perfect way to unwind after a great day!

5.    Crater Lake National Park is ALA’s Preserve a Park for 2013.  That means, with each guest booked, we will donate $100 to the park and its historical association!

As I sit here staring out my window at a melting, muddy landscape, my mind wanders to brighter summer days past filled with sunshine. Specifically, I keep dreaming of days spent on Austin-Lehman’s Yellowstone-Tetons Adventure, kayaking the cool, clear waters of Jackson Lake, the Teton Range seemingly shooting up out of its west side.

You just can’t beat kayaking or canoeing on Jackson Lake. Getting away from the crowds and onto the deserted waters will put you into a state of solitude.  Nothing but the noise of nature reaches your ears, and from your kayak you may see such wildlife as majestic bald eagles, tip-toeing mule deer, or playful river otters. As your paddle silently slices the glassy surface, you won’t believe your eyes again and again as you glance at the view in front of you: Mount Moran shooting out of the lake’s edge and rising skyward 12,605 feet!  That’s a wow in and of itself!

But wait, there’s more! Sure, the kayaking part of exploring Jackson Lake is pretty amazing, but did I mention that you get to go “chill out” on your own private island for an hour or two? About three-quarters of the way through our escapade on Jackson Lake, we stop for a break on the rocky shores of a small unnamed island. The views from here are spectacular, providing unmatched photo ops for those wanting an amazing picture of the granite monolith that is Mount Moran.

I love when kids experience kayaking Jackson Lake on our Family Adventure because there’s never a shortage of activities to do once we reach the island. Writing messages on the beach out of sticks, skipping rocks from the shore, creating log shelters out of drift wood, and searching for frogs are just a few things that completely capture a child’s imagination on this round rock paradise. Parents roll out a towel and bask in the sunshine as the guides flip over a boat, playing king of the kayak with the kids. All that can be heard are splashing and laughter as we enjoy ourselves (maybe a little too much) on our isolated island.

Once the stomachs start rumbling a bit, we jump into our kayaks again for the short paddle back to the mainland. It’s always hard to bid goodbye to the island, but you just can’t keep lunch waiting! Again and again, I hear from guests that kayaking/canoeing is their favorite activity on this adventure that visits two national parks: Grand Teton and Yellowstone.  I must say, that I am among them when it comes to the beauty, seclusion, and specialness of this little piece of paradise.

Where will you create your next memory?

Kasey Austin

For a Southwestern tour guide, December in Phoenix can be a culture shock. We spend our other three seasons essentially as visitors to the Valley of the Sun: dropping off trip gear, meeting our next group of adventurers, and departing for the Southwest's most iconic locations, week after week. Many of us spend over 100 days between March and November in Havasupai, the heart of the Grand Canyon. Forty-five miles west of Grand Canyon National Park, spring-fed, turquoise waters wander through islands of wavy, lush seep-willow and craggy deposits of red-tinged travertine on the Havasupai Tribe's reservation. We cross onto tribal land 60 miles from trailhead, and continue to explore it until we depart enroute to Phoenix at the end of the week. The village that lies 8 miles below the rim of the canyon is home to around 400 people, a welcome transition from metropolitan Phoenix's ever-growing 4 million. Throughout the spring, summer, and fall, we grow into the canyon life. Towering precipices of Redwall limestone replace backyard fences, moon-lit camp chairs fill in for living room couches, and our neighbors are locals and fellow campers. Havasupai invites the senses to an experience found nowhere else on the planet. As we lead groups through the canyon, vermilion cliffs contrast with the fields of vivid green grapevines that spring out from the blue-green water. We journey each day from the roar of hundred-foot waterfalls to the absolute silence found at the back of side canyons. As we fire up the grills in the evening, the scents of mouthwatering gourmet food mingle with the fresh canyon air as the breeze rocks the creek-side hammocks. It's hard to say a temporary goodbye to both the scenery and community in November, despite the welcome from friends and the glorious winter weather in Phoenix. Coming back to the city, I realize that "home" is a place found 250 miles north, deep in the Grand Canyon.

Spain is hot! No, not temperature-wise (unless you travel in July or August), but as a new/old destination. When we think of travelling to Spain, we often think of Madrid, Barcelona, Catalonia, Andalusia, the many ‘Costa’ and beaches, and – to a lesser degree - Galicia. However, Navarra and Rioja are often ignored as vacation spots, even though they have a lot to offer.

Navarra, in northeastern Spain, was for many centuries a small independent kingdom, and an important player in history. As a semi-autonomous province, it now preserves plenty of that independent feeling. It is stuffed with things to see, from the awe-inspiring Pyrenees to castled plains and sun-drenched wine-country. The principal route of the pilgrims to Santiago de Compostela – the Camino Francés – crosses Navarra from east to west and has left some of Spain’s finest religious architecture.

In the midst of it all is Pamplona, a pleasant town which goes crazy for nine days in July for the Fiesta de los Sanfermines, of which the most famous event is the daily Running of the Bulls (Encierro), made famous by Hemingway. It is difficult to describe just how big this party is! The eating options in Pamplona are plentiful, yet I can definitely recommend an evening of Tapas (here called Pintxo: pronounced as Pinchos) as you hop from bar to bar.

Puente La Reina is a small town along the Way of St. James (i.e. the Camino), and a good place to stop for lunch. Not only does it have a couple of interesting pilgrim churches and many restaurants (BTW, often you will first need to wrestle your way through the bar in order to make it to the restaurant, so you may as well have a drink on your way in), but it also has a remarkably well-preserved Romanesque hump-backed bridge spanning the Rio Arga. It was built in the late 11^th century by orders of the queen to ensure the safe river crossing of the pilgrims.

The wines of Navarra are centered on the town of Olite. One of the oldest towns in Navarra, it was founded and fortified by the Romans. It wasn’t until the 12^th century that the town began to rise to prominence. Olite became a favorite of the Navarrese monarchs and a palace was built, incorporating what remained of the Roman fortifications. This palace is now a Parador, which means it has been turned into a historical hotel. Various bodegas (wineries) are located in and around the town, such as Ochoa (my favorite), Piedemonte and Marco Real.

Rioja, just south-east of Navarra, is known above all for its red wines (even though part of the wine denomination falls in Basque Country). Also Rioja was given semi-autonomous status. The name of this province is derived from the Río Oja, a tributary of the Ebro River. The Ebro runs down a shallow valley of enormous fertility, which also produces top quality cereal, fruits and vegetables, especially in the Rioja Baja. Riojan dishes include giant asparagus, hearty stews of white beans, large roasts of goat and lamb, perfected with a bottle of local red. 

The provincial town of Haro (in the Rioja Alta) is the effective grape capital. If you are a wine aficionado, you will want to visit the wine museum. The family-owned Muga winery accepts visitors on a daily basis.

To end this blog on a spiritual note of a different dimension, let me mention the town of Santo Domingo de la Calzada. Born in 1019, Domingo dedicated his life to the pilgrims who were passing through the area. Here he built a hospital, a bridge and a road, around which a town then grew which would eventually bear his name. The cathedral is the town’s centerpiece. The most curious ‘object’ in the cathedral is a live rooster and hen which are kept in a cage in memory of a miracle said to have occurred in Santo Domingo, when a roasted chicken stood up from a platter, and, fully feathered, crowed aloud to testify the innocence of a pilgrim who had been unjustly accused of theft and had been hung. He too was found to be alive, and was immediately released. Pilgrims still collect the bird’s white feathers!

Good ole Jackson, Wyoming. One of the most b-e-a-utiful towns in the West. It’s surrounded by mountains with the Grand Tetons right up the road. Not to mention, Yellowstone National Park being just a little further up that road. This place is full of adventurous opportunities. You can raft the Snake River, hike multiple trails, go paragliding, kayak Jackson Lake and bike just about anywhere as this is one of the most “biker-friendly” areas you will ever see. Downtown Jackson is loaded with great shopping, unique restaurants such as Local or Thai Me Up, the elk antler arches in Towne Square and of course, the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar.

Coming into town from the North you can’t help but notice the rather large and rather steep ski slopes in front of you. That is Snow King, which also offers some great hiking in the summer season. At the top you will have gained about 1,600 feet elevation with one of the best views you will ever see! On a clear day, just about the entire Jackson Hole area can be viewed. The Grand Tetons, Teton Village, the National Elk Refuge and the Gros Ventre Mountain Range, all before you in all their glory. The town of Jackson is already about 6,200 feet elevation so get ready for some huffin and puffin on your hike and don’t forget to bring some water with you. In case you’re not in the mood to hike, the ski lifts run all year.

So before or after you head onto your Yellowstone/Teton Austin Lehman Adventure, make sure you spend a few extra days in the wonderful town of Jackson, Wyoming.

1. Fewer Crowds.  Not only does Yellowstone take on a whole new look in the winter, there are less people there to see it, meaning more space for you to enjoy.  

2. You get to ride in a snowcoach. No doubt the frigid temperatures scare some people away from taking a Yellowstone winter vacation.  However, nothing beats enjoying this unique perspective of the park from a heated, comfortable snowcoach.  The first snowcoach was patented in 1939 by J. Armand Bombardier (hence the Bombardier Snowbus), and was first brought to Yellowstone in 1955.  While the snowcoach has been much updated, you can still see a few of the original 1955 fleet cruising around. In fact, you may even have the chance to ride in one!



3. Frosted bison.  That’s right, frosted bison.  The Yellowstone Bison are famous, and seeing them hanging out around the thermal pools, covered in a dusting of snow, is pretty darn cool, and an incredible opportunity for the professional and casual photographer alike.  

4. Bald Eagles are WAY easier to see in the winter. Bald Eagles are probably the most incredible birds we have in this country (I know that’s a statement several people might debate), and seeing them in person (or bird) is a unique and unforgettable experience.

5. Snow Shoeing the terrace loop at Mammoth Hot Springs. Take in the white, orange, and yellow limestone travertine formations, constantly changing over time, on the first day of your Yellowstone Winter trip.  It will set the tone for five days of adventure and exploration in Yellowstone’s winter wonderland!



6. Cross Country Skiing around the Old Faithful boardwalks.  Marvel as Old Faithful, surrounded by a blanket of snow, erupts, and glide past its fellow neighbors, as you cross country ski in the Upper Geyser Basin.

7. Hot Chocolate by the fire at Old Faithful Snow Lodge. After an exciting day of cross country skiing, relax, out your feet up, and get warm with a delicious cup of hot chocolate by the inviting fireplace in the lobby of the Old Faithful Snow Lodge.

8. Geysers are steamier in the winter.  Steamy geysers attract a lot of wildlife, who use the heat to keep warm in the winter.  Keep an eye out for bison, elk, coyote and foxes around these natural hot (really hot) springs.

9. Dogsledding.  Experience the exquisiteness of the Paradise Valley as you glide on a sled pulled by eight friendly huskies. Who wouldn’t want to do that??

10. Chico Hot Springs in the winter.  There’s no better way to end your trip than a night at Chico Hot Springs.  Relax in the naturally heated waters of the hot springs, and follow up your soak by indulging in one of the best dinners in Montana at the Chico Dining Room.